Colds and Flu

What is a Cold? Common Cold (Coryza) is an acute condition that affects only the upper respiratory tract (mainly the nose). It is the most common respiratory disorder in many parts of the world.

Signs and Symptoms of a Cold Runny nose (with clear mucus); blocked nose; sneezing; sore throat; watery eyes; cough; headache (sometimes); and slight fever (sometimes).

What is the Flu? Flu (Influenza) is also an acute and contagious condition that affects the respiratory system. It is often confused with the common cold, but flu is much more severe. Flu usually lasts for four to five days, but the complications can be longer lasting and more serious, especially with lung infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

Signs and Symptoms of Flu Fever and extreme coldness (chills/shivering/shaking); body aches (especially joints and throat); nasal congestion (with yellow – green mucus); runny nose; cough; headaches; fatigue; watery eyes; and diarrhea (usually in children).

What Causes Colds and Flu? The common cold and flu are due to infection from certain viruses. Risk factors include exposure to cold and rainy weather, and an immature immune system, especially in children.

The Tibb View on Colds and Flu

According to Tibb, colds and flu are associated with coldness with moistness as they typically develop in cold months of the year. Symptomatically colds and flu presents with excessive mucous production such as a runny or congested nose, and productive coughing. Due to the weakened immune system, Physis is unable to prevent the virus infection, but actively fights it in order to restore the body back to health within 4 days (for a cold) or 21 days (for the flu). Although all temperamental types can be affected with colds and flu, people with a phlegmatic dominant/sub-dominant temperament are more at risk due to their innate qualities of coldness and moistness.

Management of Colds and Flu Treatment and management is aimed at reducing the excess coldness with moistness associated with colds and flu, by implementing Tibb Lifestyle Factors that will increase the qualities of heat and dryness. This assists Physis in addressing both the symptoms and the causes of colds and flu.

Tibb Lifestyle FactorsFood and Drink- Eat mostly Hot & Dry foods – such as chicken, oily fish, garlic and onion, followed by

Hot & Moist foods – like flavoured with spices like ginger, turmeric and black pepper.- Eat less of Cold & Dry foods – such as lemon, oranges and yogurt and the least amount of

Cold & Moist foods - like milk, cucumber and rice.- Avoid dairy products, margarine, fried foods and all sugars;- Avoid solid foods for three days.- Sip hot chicken, beef or mutton soup spiced with garlic, ginger, black pepper and salt for three days.- Drink at least 2 litres of warm water per day.

Other Lifestyle Advice

- Remain as active as possible unless you have a fever in which case bed rest is strongly advised.- Avoid exposure to cold and wet weather.- Use steam inhalations to promote drainage and ease pressure. Use a pot of hot water and add a few

drops of eucalyptus or rosemary oil. Put your face over the pot and cover with a towel. Breathe indeeply. Do this several times a day for 5-10 minutes.

- Massaging the chest and throat with a heating ointment such as Vicks, Puma balm or Blackseed Rubwill ease congestion and help eliminate phlegm.

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Herbal Remedy

- 2 grams fenugreek seeds, 1 gram cinnamon, 1 gram cloves, 2 grams fresh ginger. Boil in 2 cups ofwater until 1 cup remains. Strain and mix in 2 tsp of honey and drink. Repeat the same 3 times a day.

- Ginger and honey tea: Grate 2 cm piece of ginger to a pot of 2 cups of water. Bring to the boil, thenadd 1tbsp of honey. Drink it whilst hot.